Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Difference between revisions

* At startup, the ammunition store is filled with 675 round. There is an option on the '''Fuel and Stores''' dialog in the '''Tomcat Controls''' Menu to allow the gun to be reloaded

* Select HUD A/A Mode on the Display panel, on pilot's right console. A multikey shortcut is also available {{Key press|:}}{{Key press|A}}{{Key press|H}}{{Key press|a}}. Having the HUD in this mode is not mandatory however when the HUD is in the right mode the guidance symbology will assist with target identification and aiming.

* Select Gun mode with the Stick Weapon Mode Selector ({{Key press|w}}). A pipper, the G symbol with a number showing approximately the remaining rounds x 100 and a closure rate scale are displayed in the HUD. The closure rate scale is active only if a target has been locked ({{Key press|y}}) by the radar with TWS AUTO mode (diamond on the HUD).

* Switch Master Arm on cycle with {{Key press|CTRL-w}}, the X on the G symbol means Master Arm off or in training mode.  

* Press {{Key press|e}} to fire the gun.

* Select a weapons set using the menu: Tomcat Controls > Fuel and Stores: "FAD light" has 4 sidewinders, "FAD", "FAD heavy" and "Bombcat" have 2 of them.

* Select HUD A/A Mode on the Display panel, on pilot's right console. A multikey shortcut is also available ({{Key press|:}}{{Key press|A}}{{Key press|H}}{{Key press|a}}).

* Switch to the RIO view ({{Key press|Ctrl|v}}).

* Select pylons 1 and 8, down position, on the Armament panel, on RIO's left console. A shortcut toggles these two switches so you can select or deselect all AIM-9 in one keyboard stroke ({{Key press|Ctrl|m}}) without leaving pilot's view. If you have 4 sidewinders, then after shooting the first 2 you need to toggle the pylons 1 and 8 into the up position.

* Switch back to the pilot's view ({{Key press|Ctrl|v}}).

* Now prior to be fired, the AIM-9 must have a lock on a target. Multiplayers, AI aircraft, and AI tankers can be locked (radar lock with {{Key press|y}}). The minimal lock distance is 10 NM, the target must be approximately inside a 80° cone centred on datum line. When locked, the signal buzz volume becomes louder and the 2 red "LOCK" lights at the top of the canopy frame are lit. For best results try to shoot ({{Key press|e}}) at a 3 to 6 NM range and with the target centred on the aircraft velocity vector (when the 2 red "SHOOT" lights at the top of the canopy frame are lit). The missile will explode at the smaller distance possible. However if this distance is above 70 meters, it will continue its trajectory without guidance.

* Select a weapons set using the menu: Tomcat Controls > Fuel and Stores: "FAD" has 2 Sparrows and 4 Phoenix, "FAD light" has 4 Sparrows, "FAD heavy" has 6 Phoenix.

* Select A/A Mode, master arm etc. as with Sidewinders.

* Select "SP-PH" mode with the Stick Weapon Mode Selector ({{Key press|w}}).

* Set the appropriate pylons into the up position: 3, 4, 5, 6 for the pylons below the belly, 1 and 8 under the wing in up position for "FAD" (2 Sparrows, the 2 Sidewinders are selected in the down position of 1/8.

* Obtain a radar lock by using {{Key press|y}} the the next target and {{Key press|Ctrl|y}} the the previous target.

* Launching the missiles is the same as for the Sidewinders, but there is no growling sound and the max shooting range are larger: up to 30+ nm for the {{Wikipedia|AIM-7_Sparrow}} and 100+ nm for the {{Wikipedia|AIM-54_Phoenix}}.

* Select the right weapons set using the menu: Tomcat Controls > Fuel and Stores: "Bombcat" has 4 Mk83 bombs.

* Select A/G Mode

* Select "Off" mode with the Stick Weapon Mode Selector (yes, off - you will still be able to pull the trigger in A/G mode).

* Set the appropriate pylons into the up position: 3, 4, 5, 6.

* "PULSE SRCH": used to scan a large part of the sky.

* "TWS AUTO": {{Wikipedia|Track_while_scan}} used to lock targets and automatically follow them. Switch to this mode, once you have found the target(s). However, be aware that the cone is about half the size - i.e. you should fly the aircraft such that the targets are more in the center of the radar as otherwise you will not see the targets, which were visible in "PULSE SRCH" mode.

 

== Pilot's Cockpit ==

=== Displays Control Panel ===

* The Display Control Panel is located on the right side of the pilot's main panel, under the Hook lever. The '''3 botom switches''' respectively turn the '''VDI''', '''HUD''' and '''HSD''' displays '''on/off'''. The '''HSD MODE''' switch is also available, it selects '''NAV''' or '''TID''' or '''ECM''' mode. This can also be achieved by cycling through these 3 modes with the {{Key press|h}} key.

** '''VDI: Vertical Display Indicator'''. Shows the aircraft attitude in roll and pitch, with an artifitial horizon and magnetic heading.

** '''HUD: Head UP Display'''.

** '''HSD: Horizontal Situation Display'''. HSD shows either:

*** in '''NAV''' mode: compas with navigation indications,

*** in '''TID''' mode (Tactical Information Display): an horizontal representation of the tactical situation (that is information provided by the RIO from what he sees in his radar displays).

*** in '''ECM''' mode: a representation of radar threats around the aircraft.

=== VHF ===

=== UHF ===

* Located on the pilot's left console, 225-400 Mhz. ADF is not enabled on this radio.

== Dual Control (RIO) ==

* Operating the radar mode and range

* Communication with ATC

* Advising the pilot of fuel status, and monitoring the airspeed and altitude (especially during an engagement with another aircraft). Voice comms using FGCOM or another method is recommended as things happen too quickly for text chat to be much use (and besides the pilot will usually be busy with the controls).

== External links ==

* {{Wikipedia|F-14 Tomcat}}

* {{fgaddon aircraft source|f-14b|text=Link to FGAddon repo}}

* [http://zaretto.com/f-14b Development page, additional information, and alternative download]

* [http://www.flightgear.org/tours/the-f-14b-is-back/ Post about the updated F-14B] (flightgear.org)

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-14.htm F-14 Tomcat] (GlobalSecurity.org)

* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-14.htm F-14 Tomcat]  (FAS.org)

* [http://www.anft.net/f-14/ Home of M.A.T.S.]

* [http://www.navyair.com/LSO_NATOPS_Manual.pdf NATOPS Landing Signal Officer Manual]

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3VKND7HrB8 YouTube video] about F-14 air combat maneuvering against the [[Northrop T-38 Talon|T-38]], [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4]] and [[McDonnell F-4 Phantom II|F-4]] at Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego (the real '''''TOPGUN''''').